Display system with continuous pattern

ABSTRACT

A packaging system includes a plurality of containers displaying a continuous pattern, where the pattern persists, even when a subset of the containers is removed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a packaging system having acontinuous pattern, and more particularly relates to a packaging systemincluding a plurality of containers adjacently positioned into subsetsto form a unified continuous pattern.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, product packaging involves the material, methods, and systemsto enclose and present products for distribution, storage, display,sale, and use. Packaging also refers to the process of design,evaluation, and production of packages. For efficient packaging, acoordinated system of preparing goods for transport, storage, display,sale, and end use is required. Packaging contains, protects, preserves,transports, informs, and sells products.

Traditional product packages, such as boxes and bottles include frontand back labels that are independent of each other and distinguishablein form, appearance, and content. A front label forms the main displaylabel of the package, whereas the back label typically includesinformation regarding the product. Such packages are often arranged indisplays on retail shelves for consumers to view the product in avisually appealing manner. The display of packages can include numerouscontainers that may be stacked to display the front label of the boxesand/or the label panels. Typically, the display includes a uniformity ofappearance and is arranged to be visually appealing.

Various features of some products, such as labeling, color, orientation,texture, thickness, softness, smoothness, durability, and/or scent, mayimpact a consumer's purchasing decision. However, several challengesarise in product display. In a typical retail setting products are oftendisorganized and visually unappealing. This is because the products areconstantly being removed for purchase, replaced by retail employees, orrepositioned after customer viewing, causing the display to becomedisorganized and, therefore, visually unappealing. The display surfaceof a single container, such as a bottle, is relatively small in size, ascompared to an entire section or isle of a retail store filled withother similarly sized bottles, each bottle competing for the consumer'sattention. In this competitive environment, designing the displaysurface of a package to distinguish it from a multitude of packagescompeting for the same consumer is not an easy task, particularly givenits relatively small size. Yet, it is an important task becauseconsumers initially attracted by a visually eye-catching design of apackage or a group of packages are more inclined to view the product tomake a purchasing decision.

A product line is a group of related products manufactured by a singlecompany. Products in a single product line will often be packaged with asimilar overall design, such as each package being the same shape, thesame color palette, or the same logo position on the display surface ofthe packaging. The difficulty with presenting a unified display,particularly one with a continuous pattern across a product line beingdisplayed, is that different retail locations will order differentproducts from the product line. One store may order and display onesubset of products from the product line and another retail location mayorder and display another subset of products from the product line. Someretail locations will only have a limited allotment of shelf space todisplay products from each product line provided at the retail location.Coordinating a continuous pattern across an entire product line is,therefore, very difficult to implement, where typically an entireproduct line is not displayed at a single retail location.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art asdiscussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention obviates the above-mentioned problems, byproviding a packaging system for a display that maintains a unifiedcontinuous pattern on the label, even when an individual container isremoved. The packaging system includes a plurality of containers. Thecontainers are grouped into multiple subsets. Each subset of containersforms a segment of a unified continuous pattern when the containers arepositioned adjacently in a horizontal row. The segments of the unifiedcontinuous pattern position adjacently to each other to form the unifiedcontinuous pattern. Removal of a subset of containers from the pluralityof containers does not result in a non-unified, discontinuous pattern.In this manner, display space may be optimized without losing unity ofthe graphical design. Additionally, each container and/or subset canhave a different container content while still arranged to display theunified continuous pattern.

Each container can be printed with a graphical design that, whencombined with adjacently positioned containers, forms the unifiedcontinuous pattern. The unified continuous pattern is disposed onexternally visible display portions of each container, such that theunified continuous pattern is collectively formed when each container isoriented identically to one another relative to a container supportsurface. The unified continuous pattern may include a repetitiveundulating line.

In some embodiments, the display may include, without limitation, aproduct display in a retail store, a convention display, a marketingdisplay, and an informative display at a public gathering. Those skilledin the art will recognize that marketing and product presentation isenhanced by presenting a visually attractive, continuous pattern thatcaptures the attention of potential consumers. In one embodiment, theunified continuous pattern may include a floral arrangement having awave-like appearance.

The unified continuous pattern may include a graphical design printed onthe externally visible display portion of each container. The graphicaldesign can be related to a product inside the container. The graphicaldesign may include eclectic shapes, designs, and images that align toform the unified continuous pattern. The shapes, designs, and images arearranged to maintain the unified continuous pattern between individualcontainers and multiple subsets. Removing a subset of containers fromthe plurality of containers does not break the continuity of the lines.A container or subset having similar shapes, designs, and images canreplace the removed container or subset to maintain the unifiedcontinuous pattern.

In some embodiments, the novel techniques and graphical depictions thatenable the unified continuous pattern to remain intact, even after oneor more containers are removed, results from repetitive and predictablepatterns, graphics, spacing, orientation, and shading of the patterndisplayed on each individual container. In one embodiment, the unifiedcontinuous pattern is formed as a repetitive pattern. The repetitivepattern facilitates replacement of a removed container or subset. Thepattern may also be simplified by minimizing broken, crossed, or angularlines. Rather than utilizing zigzags or complex patterns, a singleundulating line is formed, with the line gradually sloping betweenadjacent containers. The undulating line can cross over a first segmentand a second segment at a slope, and may therefore be replaced by asimilarly sloped line. In a continuous pattern having a first segmentand a second segment, a newly added third segment that is positionedadjacently to the second segment does not require a unique graphicaldesign, but can include the identical graphical design as the firstsegment to simplify the overall unified continuous pattern.

In further embodiments, the unified continuous pattern includes broadgraphical lines, relative to the size of the container. The broad linescross into each other between containers in a more visually forgivingmanner than a thin, sharp line. Additional graphical depictions thatenhance the effect of the unified continuous pattern may include,without limitation, wavy lines, fuzzy edges, stepped formations,relatively simple images, and minimal usage of text.

In some embodiments, the contents of each container differ from oneanother. For example, the first subset of containers contains shampoo,while the second subset of containers contains conditioner. Upon removalof a shampoo container having a graphical design of an apex section of aline, a conditioner container with the same apex section can replace theshampoo container. Text indicating container contents of the conditionercontainer informs the user of the container contents, despite beingplaced in the subset of shampoo containers.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, a packaging system, comprising aplurality of containers including an externally visible display portion,each of the externally visible display portions collectively displayinga unified continuous pattern when the plurality of containers arearranged side by side in a horizontal row, and the plurality ofcontainers segmented into: a first subset of containers, each containerin the first subset of containers displaying a continuation of a patternon an adjacent container of the first subset of containers, each of saidpattern continuations in the first subset collectively forming a firstsegment of the unified continuous pattern; and a second subset ofcontainers, each container in the second subset of containers displayinga continuation of a pattern on an adjacent container of the secondsubset of containers, each of said pattern continuations in the secondsubset collectively forming a second segment of the unified continuouspattern. Each one of the plurality of containers stores a containercontent different from a container content stored by each of the otherones of the plurality of containers; and the unified continuous patternis configured such that removal of one of the first subset of containersand the second subset of containers from the horizontal row does notdisplay a non-unified, discontinuous pattern.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, theunified continuous pattern resembles a singular, undulating line.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, theunified continuous pattern resembles an arrangement of flower pedalsapproximating a singular, undulating line.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, each ofthe plurality of containers is a bottle.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, each ofthe plurality of containers is a bottle storing a pet hair care product.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, each ofthe plurality of containers includes a different hair care product in aline of hair care products.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, each ofthe plurality of containers is sized and configured to be arranged onand supported by a retail store shelf.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, theunified continuous pattern includes a repeating pattern.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, each ofthe plurality of containers includes a different product in a line ofproducts.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, theplurality of containers are arranged in the horizontal row such that themain products in the line of products are adjacent to one another.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, theunified continuous pattern is disposed on the externally visible displayportions of each of the plurality of containers such that the unifiedcontinuous pattern is collectively formed when each of the plurality ofcontainers is oriented identically to one another relative to acontainer support surface.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, there isprovided a method of displaying a plurality of containers, comprisingreceiving the plurality of containers, each of the plurality ofcontainers including an externally visible display portion and storing acontainer content different from a container content stored by each ofthe other ones of the plurality of containers, and the plurality ofcontainers divided into a first subset of containers, each container inthe first subset of containers displaying a continuation of a pattern onan adjacent container of the first subset of containers, each of saidpattern continuations in the first subset collectively forming a firstsegment of a unified continuous pattern; and a second subset ofcontainers, each container in the second subset of containers displayinga continuation of a pattern on an adjacent container of the secondsubset of containers, each of said pattern continuations in the secondsubset collectively forming a second segment of the unified continuouspattern; wherein the unified continuous pattern is configured such thatremoval of one of the first subset of containers and the second subsetof containers from the horizontal row does not result in a non-unified,discontinuous pattern. The method further includes forming the unifiedcontinuous pattern by positioning the plurality of containers side byside in a horizontal row.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, the method further includesforming a pattern resembling a singular, undulating line.

In accordance with another embodiment, the method includes forming apattern resembling an arrangement of flower pedals approximating asingular, undulating line.

In accordance with another embodiment, the method further includesarranging each of the plurality of containers on a retail store shelf.

In accordance with a further feature, the method includes forming arepeating pattern.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, the method further includesarranging the plurality of containers in the horizontal row such thatmain products in a line of products are adjacent to one another.

In accordance with another embodiment, the method further includesarranging each of the plurality of containers on a retail store shelf tobe oriented identically to one another.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a packaging display system with continuous pattern, it is,nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown becausevarious modifications and structural changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and within the scope andrange of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodimentsof the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of theinvention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art tovariously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention. While the specification concludes withclaims defining the features of the invention that are regarded asnovel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood froma consideration of the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one ormore than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as twoor more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as atleast a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as usedherein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term“coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to allnumeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These termsgenerally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art wouldconsider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the samefunction or result). In many instances these terms may include numbersthat are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document,the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a directioncorresponding to an elongated direction of an object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a packaging system including aplurality of containers displaying a unified continuous pattern, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the packaging system, originallyintroduced in FIG. 1, illustrating removal of a subset of the pluralityof containers, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the packaging system, originallyintroduced in FIG. 1, illustrating removal of a second subset of theplurality of containers, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the packaging system, originallyintroduced in FIG. 1, illustrating removal of a third subset of theplurality of containers, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the packaging system, originallyintroduced in FIG. 1, illustrating removal of a single container fromthe plurality of containers, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowing description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in whichlike reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood thatthe disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, whichcan be embodied in various forms.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in a front elevation view. FIG. 1 shows severaladvantageous features of the present invention, but, as will bedescribed below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes,combinations of features and components, and varying numbers andfunctions of the components. The first example of a packaging system100, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a plurality of containers 102 a-102 igrouped into a display, where the number of containers 102 a-102 ibetween “a” and “i” can be any number. The plurality of containers 102displays a unified continuous pattern 104, even when a subset ofcontainers is removed. In this manner, display space may be optimizedand the unified continuous pattern 104 is maintained for marketing. Insome embodiments, the plurality of containers 102 a-102 i are adjacentlypositioned in a horizontal row 120 to form the unified continuouspattern 104. The packaging system 100 further includes a first subset108, a second subset 110, and a third subset 112 of containers 102. Thefirst subset 108 includes a first segment 108 of the unified continuouspattern 104. Similarly, the second subset 110 includes a second segment111 of the unified continuous pattern 104. The third subset 112 includesa third segment 113 of the unified continuous pattern 104. The unifiedcontinuous pattern 104 can be maintained even when a single container102 or one of the subsets 108, 110, 112 is removed from the display, asexplained in more detail below.

The unified continuous pattern 104 is maintained even when one, or asubset of the containers 102 a-102 i is removed from the first subset108, the second subset 110, or the third subset 112 of containers 102.For example, removal of the container 102 a from the first subset 108does not result in a non-unified, discontinuous pattern, as is apparentfrom FIG. 1. The unified continuous pattern 104 merely terminatesearlier, due to the removal of the container 102 a. Each container 102and/or subset 108, 110, 112 can have a different container content whilestill adjacently arranged in the unified continuous pattern 104.

The plurality of containers 102 a-102 i may include, without limitation,a bottle, a box, a glass, a jug, and any vessel configured to contain asolid or a fluid. In one embodiment, the container 102 may include abottle storing a pet hair care product. Each container 102 may contain adifferent hair care product in a line of hair care products, forexample, the line of hair care products can include shampoos of varyingaromas and ingredients, conditioners of varying aromas and ingredients,styling products, and other hair care products. As used herein, the term“hair” is intended to indicate any hair, fur, coating, or the like thatgrows from the skin of animals.

In one embodiment, the plurality of containers 102 a-102 i are sized andconfigured to be arranged on and supported by a retail store shelf. Inother embodiments, the containers 102 are arranged in any manner thatdisplays the unified continuous pattern 104, including, withoutlimitation, stacking on the floor, hanging from a ceiling, and placingin a window showcase. In another embodiment, the containers 102 arearranged in the horizontal row 120 such that the main products, or thehighest selling products are positioned adjacent one another forming asegment of the unified continuous pattern 104. In this manner, the mainproducts in the product line can display the unified continuous pattern104 where a retail location offers a limited shelf-space sufficient todisplay only a few products. At retail locations where more shelf spaceis available, secondary or lesser selling products from the product linecan be positioned adjacent the main products and still maintain theunified continuous pattern 104. The capacity to isolate the mainproducts while still maintaining the unified continuous pattern 104optimizes shelf space by enabling selective display of products inaccordance with availability of shelf-space at any given retaillocation.

Secondary products may be removed to optimize shelf space. The mainproducts can form the unified continuous pattern 104 alone, even withoutthe full line of products. In some embodiments, secondary products maybe shelved separately, in a less visible area of the retail location,and also form the unified continuous pattern 104 without the mainproducts.

The unified continuous pattern 104 is displayed on an externally visibledisplay portion 106 a-106 i of each container 102 such that the unifiedcontinuous pattern 104 is collectively formed when each container 102 isoriented identically to one another relative to a container supportsurface (not shown), such as a retail shelf. In one embodiment, theunified continuous pattern 104 is formed by adjacent, upright containers102 positioned side-by-side, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Advantageously,by providing the singular unified, continuous pattern 104 distributedacross the plurality of containers 102, the product display surface caneffectively be enlarged from a single container to the sum of the visualdisplay portions 106 a-106 i of the plurality of containers 102. Thehuman eye will be drawn to the singular unified continuous pattern 104that appears larger than any one graphic on any other singular containeron display at the retail shelves. The unified continuous pattern 104 ismore likely to draw consumers' attention in this highly competitivespace, and, is more likely to result in a purchase event.

In one embodiment, the unified continuous pattern 104 resembles asingular, undulating line. For example, an arrangement of flower pedalsapproximating a singular, undulating line traverses across the pluralityof containers 102 a-102 i. In other embodiments, other patterns may beutilized on the visible display portions 106, including, withoutlimitation, a straight line, a zigzag line, a stepped line, repetitivesquares, rectangles, and ovals, or the like.

The visible display portion 106 may be formed as an external surface ofthe container 102 that is configured to receive a printed graphic ortext. The graphical design may be related to a container content, suchas a shampoo product inside a bottle. The graphical design may includeeclectic shapes, designs, and images that align with adjacent containers102 to form the unified continuous pattern 104. The shapes, designs, andimages are arranged to maintain the unified continuous pattern 104between individual containers 102 and multiple subsets 108, 110, 112.For example, removing the subset 112 from between subsets 108 and 110results in an arrangement where adjacent subsets 108 and 110 do notresult in a non-unified, discontinuous pattern, as illustrated in FIG.2. Advantageously, even though the subset 112 has been removed,remaining subsets 108 and 110 of containers 102 maintain the unifiedcontinuous display pattern 104.

Still referring to FIG. 1, each of the externally visible displayportions 106 a-106 i collectively display the unified continuous pattern104 when the plurality of containers 102 a-102 i is arranged side byside in the horizontal row 120. The plurality of containers 102 a-102 iis segmented into the first subset 108, the second subset 110, and thethird subset 112. The unified continuous pattern 104 is configured suchthat removal of one of subsets 108, 110, 112 from the horizontal row 120does not display a non-unified, discontinuous pattern. For example,removal of the subset 108 from a position adjacent the subset 112maintains the unified continuous pattern 104 on the remaining subsets112 and 110, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Alternatively, removal of thesubset 110 from a position adjacent the subset 112 maintains the unifiedcontinuous pattern 104 on the remaining subsets 112 and 108, asillustrated in FIG. 4.

The unified continuous pattern 104 can be configured such that removalof a single container 102 does not disrupt the unity and continuity ofthe unified continuous pattern 104. As illustrated in FIG. 5, removal ofthe singular container 102 e does not result in a non-unified,discontinuous pattern. A wavelength 122 of the undulating line segmentbetween the containers 102 d and 102 f is changed (e.g. shortened), butthe pattern 104 remains unified and continuous because it maintainsdisplay of an undulating repeating wave-like line, even after removal ofthe singular container 102 e.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 1, each container 102 in the firstsubset 108 displays a continuation of a pattern on an adjacent container102 of the first subset 108 of containers 102. The pattern continuationsin the first subset 108 collectively form the first segment 109 of theunified continuous pattern 104. The first segment 109 may be distributedacross any number of containers 102. Similarly, each container 102 inthe second subset 110 displays a continuation of a pattern on anadjacent container 102 of the second subset 110 of containers 102. Thepattern continuation in the second subset 110 collectively forms thesecond segment 111 of the unified continuous pattern 104. The secondsegment may be distributed across any number of containers 102.Likewise, each container 102 in the third subset 112 displays acontinuation of a pattern on an adjacent container 102 of the thirdsubset 112 of containers 102. The pattern continuations in the thirdsubset 112 collectively form the third segment 113 of the unifiedcontinuous pattern 104. In one embodiment, the amount of containers 102displaying each of the first segment 109, the second segment 111, andthe third segment 113 are the same. In other embodiments, the amount ofcontainers 102 displaying each of the first segment 109, the secondsegment 111, and the third segment 113 are different. The unifiedcontinuous pattern 104 is configured such that removal of one of thefirst subset 108, the second subset 110, and the third subset 112 fromthe horizontal row 120 does not display a non-unified, discontinuouspattern, as best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 2, respectively.

The unified continuous pattern 104 is formed as a repetitive pattern.The repetitive pattern facilitates removal of the containers 102, orsubsets 108, 110, 112 without disrupting the unity and continuity of thepattern 104. The pattern 104 may be simplified by minimizing broken,crossed, or angular lines. For example, rather than utilizing zigzags orcomplex patterns, the single undulating line is formed, where the linegradually slopes between adjacent containers 102. The undulating linecan be arranged across the subsets 108, 110, and 112 having a slope anda wavelength for each undulation (or wave), where removal of a singularcontainer or subset 108, 110, 112 can alter the wavelength or slope,while maintaining the unified continuous wave-like pattern 104, asillustrated in FIG. 5.

Another technique to minimize non-unified, discontinuous patterns whenthe container 102 is removed involves using wide graphical lines,relative to the size of the container 102. The wide lines cross intoeach other between containers 102 in a more visually forgiving mannerthan, for example, a thin, sharp line. Additional graphical techniquesthat can enhance a visual effect of the unified continuous pattern 104may include, without limitation, wavy lines, fuzzy edges, steppedformations, relatively simple images, and minimal usage of text.

Because each container 102 is not required to contain the same product,additional manipulation of the packaging system 100 is possible. Forexample, the first subset 108 of containers 102 can contain shampoo,while the second subset 110 of containers 102 can contain conditioner.The shampoo container 102 can have a graphical design of an apex sectionof the undulating line of the unified continuous pattern 104. Theconditioner container 102 having the same or similar apex section canreplace the shampoo container 102. Text describing the container 102contents can be displayed on the container 102.

A packaging system including a plurality of containers that,collectively, forms a singular, unified continuous pattern distributedacross the plurality of containers for visually drawing the attention ofconsumers thereto is provided. The unified continuous pattern ismaintained even when a subset of the plurality of containers is removed.

What is claimed is: 1-20. (canceled)
 21. A packaging system fordisplaying containers, comprising: a set of three containers, eachcontainer in said set having an externally visible display portion, eachsaid externally visible display portion differs from each other, whensaid containers of said set are arranged side-by-side and facing samedirection, said externally visible display portion of each container ofsaid set collectively forming an undulating line sloping across said setof containers.
 22. The packaging system according to claim 21, furthercomprising a further set of containers, each container in said furtherset having an externally visible display portion, each said externallyvisible display portion differs from each other, when said containers ofsaid set and said further set of containers, respectively, are arrangedside by side and facing same direction, said externally visible displayportion of each container of said further set collectively forming anundulating line sloping across said containers, wherein removal of threecontainers adjacent to each other will not disturb said undulating linein remaining containers.
 23. The packaging system according to claim 21,wherein said undulating line is a repeating, wave-like line.
 24. Thepackaging system according to claim 22, wherein said further set ofcontainers contains a different content as said first set of containers.25. The packaging system according to claim 22, wherein said containersare bottles.
 26. A method of displaying containers, comprising:providing a set of three containers, each container in said set havingan externally visible display portion, each said externally visibledisplay portion differs from each other; arranging said containersside-by-side and said externally visible display portion facing in samedirection, said externally visible display portion of each container ofsaid set thereby collectively forming an undulating line sloping acrosssaid set of containers.
 27. The method of displaying containersaccording to claim 26, the method further comprises: providing a furtherset of containers, each container in said further set having anexternally visible display portion, each said externally visible displayportion differs from each other; and arranging said containers of saidset of container and said further set of containers, respectively,side-by-side and externally visible display portion facing samedirection, said externally visible display portion of each saidcontainer collectively thereby forming an undulating line sloping acrosssaid containers, wherein removal of three containers adjacent to eachother will not disturb said undulating line in remaining containers.